BC NEIHR December 1, 2023

Wolf-willow has smooth, silvery leaves up to one centimetre long, and grows up to four metres tall with its twigs covered in rusty-brown scales. It has trumpet-shaped yellow flowers, and silvery berries. This shrub is found in mountainous areas on both sides of the Rocky Mountains, and in northern B.C.. It likes dry sandbars, roadsides and the edge of meadows. It spreads quickly in areas disturbed by floods, landslides and development. Wolf-willow is important food for moose and elk in the wintertime. A few birds eat the seeds, and the shrubs provide good cover and protection for moose, deer, birds and other animals. The silver berries can be strung together to make necklaces, and the bark woven into bags, baskets, blankets and rope. Learn more here.

Mission Statement: The BC NEIHR facilitates and supports capacity for and engagement in Indigenous-led health research that is woven from the values, knowledge systems, protocols, priorities and leadership of Indigenous communities, collectives and organizations (ICCOs), academic researchers and students in BC. Our collective goal is to ground BC NEIHR structures, relationships and processes in the values and principles of self-determination, Indigenous knowledge, wholistic population health and wellness, as well as intersectionality, equity, and transparency. We also aspire to promote and support Indigenous and/or decolonizing (ID) methodologies, ethics and OCAP® in Indigenous research. In BC NEIHR activities, we acknowledge and will uphold the cultural safety and cultural humility that is modeled by the work of the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and the work yet to come from other ICCOs.

The BC NEIHR is guided by three Indigenous-governed, community-led organizations that are leading health and wellness research across BC. The three salmon in our logo represent these key partners:

If you would like to join the British Columbia Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research, fill out the BC NEIHR Registration Survey.

Being part of the BC NEIHR will connect you to research and student funding, trainings, events, employment and other unique opportunities in British Columbia and across Canada!

Already a BC NEIHR Member? Do not forget to update your Registration each year to ensure we have accurate records.

BC NEIHR UPDATES

The BC NEIHR offices will be closed for the Winter Break as of Thursday, December 21, 2023, and will reopen on Wednesday, January 3, 2024. All emails will be replied to quickly as possible upon reopening. We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

• Master’s Scholarship Program: The objective of the BC NEIHR Master’s Scholarship program is to help develop research skills and assist in the training of Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) Master's students in British Columbia (BC) institutions, who demonstrate achievement in undergraduate and early graduate studies and partnership potential with Indigenous communities, collectives and organizations. Duration and Value: One year; $17,500 (non-renewable).
• Doctoral Scholarship Program: The objective of the BC NEIHR Doctoral Scholarship program is to help develop research skills and assist in the training of Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) Doctoral students in British Columbia (BC) institutions, who demonstrate achievement in early graduate studies and partnership potential with Indigenous communities, collectives and organizations. Duration and Value: One year, $35,000 (non-renewable).
• Postdoctoral Fellowship Program: The objective of the BC NEIHR Postdoctoral Fellowships program is to provide funding to Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) postdoctoral applicants who wish to conduct research within a British Columbia (BC) host institution. Recipients of these fellowships demonstrate achievement in graduate studies, a research-intensive career pathway, as well as partnership potential with BC Indigenous communities, collectives and/or organizations (ICCOs). Duration and Value: $59,398 each year (varying duration).
• Information about each grant and all of the application materials can be found on our website under Funding: Graduate and Post-Doctoral Funding. For any questions, please reach out to the Network Coordinator (bcneihr@uvic.ca).
• Deadline: February 1, 2024.

Click on each grant to learn more and to access application materials on our website:

• Research Development Grant: Each year, the BC NEIHR offers eight Research Development Grants to Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) communities, collectives and organizations (ICCOs) for community outreach, relationship building and research development activities, including but not limited to: health research priority setting, health research partnership development, health research application development, and submission of ICCO/researcher applications to CIHR competitions or other funding agencies. Duration and Value: One year; $15,000 (non-renewable).
• Knowledge Sharing and Mobilization Grant: The BC NEIHR provides ten Knowledge Sharing and Mobilization (KSM) Grants to Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) communities, collectives and organizations (ICCOs) annually to support teams who have completed ICCO-led research and wish to share the findings of their research in culturally and contextually relevant ways. These projects must be ICCO-led and focus on sharing ICCO-relevant research findings in widely accessible venues (e.g., First Nation, Métis, Inuit or urban Indigenous community spaces) and/or formats (e.g., oral presentations, stories, arts-based, etc.). Duration and Value: One year; $15,000 (non-renewable).
• If you have any questions about these funding opportunities, please reach out to the Network Coordinator at bcneihr@uvic.ca or the Indigenous Health Research Facilitator (IHRF) for your region.
• Deadline: January 15, 2024.

The BC NEIHR is excited to share our Podcast, Research DE-Colonized: Ethical, Indigenous-Led Health and Wellness Research in Canada!

Join BC NEIHR Indigenous Health Research Facilitator, Laura McNab-Coombs, as she connects with inspiring Indigenous health and wellness scholars, healthcare professionals, and communities sharing their stories of how they’re decolonizing health and wellness research, changing healthcare and academe along the way. Topics of conversation will cover pathways into health and wellness research, techniques and research design, funding research, past and present health and wellness projects, and ethical research protocols when involving Indigenous communities, collectives and organizations.

Find us at: https://researchdecolonized.buzzsprout.com. This podcast is also hosted on Spotify, Podchaser, Player FM, and Podcast Addict. For more information on the podcast or the material presented, please contact lauramcnabcoombs@uvic.ca.

Research Funding

Click on each grant to learn more and to access application materials on our website:

• Research Development Grant: Each year, the BC NEIHR offers eight Research Development Grants to Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) communities, collectives and organizations (ICCOs) for community outreach, relationship building and research development activities, including but not limited to: health research priority setting, health research partnership development, health research application development, and submission of ICCO/researcher applications to CIHR competitions or other funding agencies. Duration and Value: One year; $15,000 (non-renewable).
• Knowledge Sharing and Mobilization Grant: The BC NEIHR provides ten Knowledge Sharing and Mobilization (KSM) Grants to Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) communities, collectives and organizations (ICCOs) annually to support teams who have completed ICCO-led research and wish to share the findings of their research in culturally and contextually relevant ways. These projects must be ICCO-led and focus on sharing ICCO-relevant research findings in widely accessible venues (e.g., First Nation, Métis, Inuit or urban Indigenous community spaces) and/or formats (e.g., oral presentations, stories, arts-based, etc.). Duration and Value: One year; $15,000 (non-renewable).
• If you have any questions about these funding opportunities, please reach out to the Network Coordinator at bcneihr@uvic.ca or the Indigenous Health Research Facilitator (IHRF) for your region.
• Deadline: January 15, 2024.

KPMG Research Seed Grant & Health Equity Fund. These annual grants aim to fund research teams and projects that:

• Align with Island Health’s priorities and goals to improve care and services in our communities, and achieve our vision of “Excellent health and care for everyone, everywhere, every time.”
• Engage people in research to gain experience, foster strong teams, and increase competitiveness for future funding opportunities.

Awards:

• 4 seed grants of up to $12,500 each through the KPMG Research Seed Grant Program
• 2 seed grants of up to $12,500 each for health equity projects in the Greater Victoria area that aim to advance health equity and eliminate health disparities by improving outcomes and/or access to health care and services for equity-deserving groups.

For more information and application materials, click here. Application Deadline: December 18, 2023 at 4 pm PDT.

2024 suite of funding programs: Advancing health research that improves health, saves lives, and strengthens BC’s economy. Michael Smith Health Research BC announced their 2024 suite of funding programs that provide opportunities for BC health researchers across all regions of the province. Learn more here.

Building research talent for BC’s future:

• Research Trainee – The Research Trainee Program supports the best and brightest health researchers in training to enable career development and support world-class health research in BC. Letter of Intent (LOI) Deadline: December 12, 2023, 4:30 pm PT. Full Application Deadline (applicants): February 23, 2024, 4:30 pm PT. Full Application Deadline (host institution): March 01, 2024, 4:30 pm PT.

Mobilizing communities for research impact:

• Convening & Collaborating (C²) – Applications Open April 2024. Convening & Collaborating supports teams of health researchers and research users to co-develop research that can have direct impacts on people, including patients, health practitioners and policy makers.
• Reach – Applications Open April 2024. Reach supports teams of researchers and research users to disseminate research evidence with those who can directly benefit from it in order to impact health and care in BC.

Student Funding

• Master’s Scholarship Program: The objective of the BC NEIHR Master’s Scholarship program is to help develop research skills and assist in the training of Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) Master's students in British Columbia (BC) institutions, who demonstrate achievement in undergraduate and early graduate studies and partnership potential with Indigenous communities, collectives and organizations. Duration and Value: One year; $17,500 (non-renewable).
• Doctoral Scholarship Program: The objective of the BC NEIHR Doctoral Scholarship program is to help develop research skills and assist in the training of Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) Doctoral students in British Columbia (BC) institutions, who demonstrate achievement in early graduate studies and partnership potential with Indigenous communities, collectives and organizations. Duration and Value: One year, $35,000 (non-renewable).
• Postdoctoral Fellowship Program: The objective of the BC NEIHR Postdoctoral Fellowships program is to provide funding to Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) postdoctoral applicants who wish to conduct research within a British Columbia (BC) host institution. Recipients of these fellowships demonstrate achievement in graduate studies, a research-intensive career pathway, as well as partnership potential with BC Indigenous communities, collectives and/or organizations (ICCOs). Duration and Value: $59,398 each year (varying duration).
• Information about each grant and all of the application materials can be found on our website under Funding: Graduate and Post-Doctoral Funding. For any questions, please reach out to the Network Coordinator at bcneihr@uvic.ca.
• Deadline: February 1, 2024.

Research Experience Award. The objective is to support Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) graduate students studying in British Columbia (BC), who are pursuing Indigenous wellness-related research and seeking to gain additional research-related experience. Duration and Value: $2,000 Regular Stream (short-term, non-renewable) or $7,000 for POR-focused Stream (please see our website for more information on Patient-Oriented Research). Eligibility: Indigenous graduate students in BC who have partnered with an Indigenous community, collective or organization (ICCO) to engage in a wellness-related research project that is mutually beneficial. Partnerships can form in response to a placement advertised by BC NEIHR or can be a pre-existing relationship. Applicants must be studying in and conducting research in British Columbia. Applicants must also have an Academic Mentor at an eligible institution for funds to be transferred. For more information and how to apply, click here. No Deadline: Research Experiences will be reviewed on a rolling basis, pending opportunities available for placements within ICCOs. Any student who has a pre-established relationship with an ICCO is eligible to submit an application with their ICCO partner at any time.

FNIGC Student Bursary. FNIGC will grant up to four $2,500 bursaries to First Nations students enrolled in a post-secondary institution in either health, social science, or applied science fields, or studying issues related to helping First Nations achieve data sovereignty. In addition to the $2,500 bursaries, each recipient also receives free registration (a $250 value) to The Fundamentals of OCAP®, FNIGC’s newly relaunched online training course that explores the First Nations principles of ownership, control, access, and possession as they relate to data sovereignty, information governance, and ethical research. To learn more and how to apply, click here. Deadline: December 15, 2023, 4:00pm EST.

Health Sciences Association Scholarships and Bursaries: HSA members and their families are eligible to apply for a number of educational scholarships and bursaries.

• HSA Bursaries for Indigenous Students. HSA provides two $1500 bursaries to Indigenous students from BC who are continuing or proceeding in any HSA-related field. The deadline for 2024 HSA scholarship/bursary applications is Friday January 19, 2024 at 11:59 pm.

The RBC Future Launch Scholarship for Indigenous Youth will award 20 scholarships annually valued up to $10,000 each per year (up to 4 years) to First Nations, Inuit and Métis students across Canada demonstrating strong academic performance and community involvement. Learn more here. Deadline: February 7, 2024.

Build your own bright future with just one application! Hundreds of bursaries, scholarships, and awards. Since 2004, Indspire has provided over $153 million in financial support to more than 49,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis students.

Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards for Post-Secondary Education and Skilled Trades. Full and part time studies in college, university, skilled trades, apprenticeships, and technology programs for the September 2023 – August 2024 academic year. There is one application for all of Indspire’s bursaries, scholarships, and awards (*with a few exceptions). You only need to complete the application once to be considered for all applicable bursaries, scholarships, and awards. Deadlines: August 1, November 1, and February 1 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. *For more information and to apply, click here.

Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP). Provides eligible First Nations students with funding to access education opportunities at the post-secondary level, including university and college entrance preparation programs. For more information and how to apply, click here. Application Deadlines:

• March 31, 2024 – for students applying for the Summer 2024 semester (May-August)

First Citizens Fund Student Bursary Program. Provides financial awards to Indigenous students enrolled in post-secondary education. Bursaries between $700-$1,200 are awarded to students who meet all eligibility requirements and who demonstrate significant financial need. Students apply for the bursary after they successfully complete a semester of post-secondary school. For more information and how to apply, click here. Application Deadlines:

• January 15, 2024 – for students applying for the Fall 2023 semester (September-December)
• May 15, 2024 – for students applying for the Winter 2024Semester (January-April)

Indigenous Disability Canada’s Support for Indigenous Student Learning Program (SISLP) is a time-limited project for Indigenous students across Canada who have limited financial resources, including those students living with disabilities. The SISLP is accepting applications from students of any age enrolled in a Formal educational institution (either online, remote, or through on-site learning) to be considered to receive a laptop and other technology / equipment supports necessary to assist with their continued education and success. For more information and how to apply, click here. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until March 15, 2024. Due to the limited funding and a high demand, it is recommended that applicants submit their completed application as early as possible. Please contact sislp@bcands.bc.ca if you need assistance with the application or have any questions.

The BC First Nations Forestry Council Indigenous Forestry Scholarship Program (IFSP) is designed to provide support for First Nations, Inuit or Métis students interested in attending full-time studies in the following applicable areas: Forestry Technician; Natural Resources; Environmental Technology; Business Management; Business Administration; Geographic Information Systems; and Forestry Trades. For more information and how to apply, click here. No Deadline.

Employment Opportunities

• Research Associate. Location: Remote (work from home) work within BC. Contract: Full-time position (35 hours/week), one-year term from January 1, 2024 (possibly earlier), to December 31, 2024 (possible extension). Yearly Salary: $70,000.00. Education: Completing a PhD or a Master’s degree or equivalent experience. Position Summary: Under the supervision of the Nominated Principal Applicant, Dr. Jeffrey Reading (UVic; SFU), Principal Investigator Dr. Krista Stelkia (SFU), and Network Coordinator, Tara Erb (UVic), as well as working with the BC NEIHR key partners (First Nations Health Authority, Métis Nation BC, and BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres), and the BC SUPPORT Unit, the Research Associate will undertake the following activities: Plan and Conduct Research for the Network; Network Performance Measures and Evaluation; Knowledge Translation (KT) and Knowledge Sharing and Mobilization (KSM). For the full job description and how to apply, click here. Applications will be reviewed until positions are filled.
• Research Administrative Coordinator. Location: Remote (work from home) work within BC. Contract: Full-time position (35 hours/week), one-year term from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024. Possible extension. Yearly Salary: $60,000.00. Education: Completing a PhD or a Master’s degree or equivalent experience. Position Summary: Under the supervision of the Nominated Principal Applicant, Dr. Jeffrey Reading (UVic; SFU; BC NEIHR; CCAIHG), Principal Investigator Dr. Krista Stelkia (SFU; BC NEIHR; CCAIHG), Network Coordinator, Tara Erb (BC NEIHR), and Manager Anita Manshadi (CCAIHG), as well as working with the BC NEIHR key partners (First Nations Health Authority, Métis Nation BC, and BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres), and the BC SUPPORT Unit, the Research Administrative Coordinator will undertake the following activities: Support and Coordinate the Development of CIHR Renewal Application for the BC NEIHR; Network Performance Measures and Evaluation; Knowledge Translation (KT) and Knowledge Sharing and Mobilization (KSM). For the full job description and how to apply, click here. Applications will be reviewed until positions are filled.
• Indigenous Health Research Facilitator (IHRF) - Northern Region. Location: Northern Health Region, BC (remote/ ability to travel for outreach & events). Contract: Full-time position (35 hours/week) or part-time position (15-20 hours/week). Yearly Salary: $60,000.00 full-time or $30,000.00 part-time. Education: Completed undergraduate degree or equivalent experience. Position Summary: Under the supervision of the Principal Applicant, Dr. Jeff Reading, and Network Coordinator, Tara Erb, as well as working with the BC NEIHR key partners (First Nations Health Authority, Métis Nation BC, and BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres), and the BC SUPPORT Unit, the IHRFs will undertake the following activities: Support Indigenous Communities, Collectives and Organizations (ICCOs); Knowledge Sharing and Mobilization (KSM), Event Coordination, Special Projects and Travel; Communications and Training. For the full job description and how to apply, click here. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

UBC is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally. A large part of what makes us unique is the community of engaged students, faculty and staff who are collectively committed to shaping a better world.

• Explore all UBC careers and job postings here.

The Department of Educational Studies (EDST) in the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia (UBC) invites applications from Indigenous scholars for two Professoriate stream positions in Indigenous Education: Assistant Professor (tenure-track); Assistant Professor (tenure-track) or Associate Professor (tenured). The successful applicants’ appointment start date will be September 1, 2024, or as mutually agreed upon between the University and the successfully candidate. The starting salary is determined both by each candidate’s qualifications and experience, and by their placement on the career progress scale within the Faculty of Education. For more information and how to apply, click here. Applications are due by January 5, 2024.

At the University of Victoria, we combine outstanding scholarship with inspired teaching and community engagement. We’re committed to recruiting, developing and retaining people who help us build a better future.

• Faculty & librarian postings
• Staff postings

The University of Victoria School of Social Work, within the Faculty of Human and Social Development, invites applications for one Limited Hire tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor, to commence July 1, 2024, or as negotiated. Limited hire: In accordance with the University’s Equity Plan and pursuant to section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, the selection will be limited to members of the following designated group: Indigenous peoples. Our search committee will review the pool of applications from those who self-identify with one of these designated groups. Candidates from this group must self-identify in their cover letter to be considered for this position. For more information and how to apply, click here. This posting will remain open until January 5, 2024. The review of applications will begin soon afterwards.

The University of Northern British Columbia is fully committed to creating and maintaining an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment that is accessible to all. We are devoted to ensuring a welcoming, safe, and inclusive campus free from harassment, bullying, and discrimination. The University of Northern British Columbia is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from the four designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities) as well as the LGBTQ2+ communities and individuals with intersectional identities.

• Explore all UNBC career opportunities here.

Simon Fraser University is a Canadian university recognized around the world for academic excellence, innovation, and sustainability. We employ more than 7,000 faculty and staff that support the institution, facilities, programs and teams to equip the university’s 37,000 students with the knowledge, skills and experiences that prepare them for life in an ever-changing and challenging world. Guided by our shared vision—to be a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and sustainable future—we are committed to meeting the changing needs of both the world around us and the people and communities we serve.

• Explore all SFU opportunities here.

• The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC) Health Department is seeking a term, full-time Research Associate Lead for its Indigenous Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (I-HeLTI) Project, based out of Port Alberni. The project applies traditional Nuu-chah-nulth knowledge to inform activities and to reclaim positive pathways for promoting and sustaining healthy child development. The I-HeLTI Research Associate Lead will provide scientific leadership and liaise between NTC (NTC team members, Elders, communities, service providers) and academic partners (extended academic team). The role interprets and understands the research interests and priorities of the individuals and groups working within the I-HeLTI Project. To meet project goals, the I-HeLTI Project team will use both Indigenous knowledge and scientific methods to measure the wellbeing of children and families over time. Opportunity for a Research Associate affiliation with the Centre for Collaborative Action on Indigenous Health Governance at Simon Fraser University in partnership with BC’s First Nations Health Authority. To view the full posting and how to apply, click here. Open until filled.

Health Quality BC provides system-wide leadership to efforts designed to improve the quality of health care in British Columbia. Through collaborative partnerships with health authorities, patients, and those working within the health care system, we promote and inform a provincially-coordinated, patient-centred approach to quality.

• Project Coordinator, Indigenous Health. Reporting to the Director, Indigenous Health, the Project Coordinator is actively involved in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of such projects, and maintains primary project coordination responsibility. Supports team efforts with internal and external partners on ongoing programs and initiatives to improve the quality and accessibility of health services, health promotion and prevention efforts, and in related research and knowledge exchange activities. Coordinates a diversity of projects of varying size and scope in a complex and changing multidisciplinary environment. Location: Within BC (Lower Mainland applicants will work from the Health Quality BC office located in Vancouver). Position Type: Permanent, Full-Time. For the full posting and how to apply, click here. Open until filled.
• See all open positions here.

Connecting Indigenous talent to fulfilling careers. We are excited to extend a warm welcome to Indigenous candidates who are interested in joining one of our diverse teams. You’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of people living in our communities.

• Senior Indigenous Cultural Advisor. The Senior Indigenous Cultural Advisor provides leadership and guidance to the Indigenous Cultural Advisor team by ensuring Indigenous perspectives, knowledge, and approaches to wellness are honoured within acute and community settings across Fraser Health (FH). Provides leadership, direction, guidance and mentorship to FH interdisciplinary staff within designated program/service by sharing of knowledge and protocol around ceremony and culture to build stronger client interactions and to ensure clients receive traditional wellness care and treatment. For more information and to apply, click here.

Are you interested in an opportunity to grow professionally within a positive and progressive culture? At Northern Health we build for the future. Acquiring and retaining high-quality diverse talent is a high priority for our organization’s success.

• Education Coordinator, Indigenous Health. Reporting to the Regional Lead, Cultural Safety & Anti-Indigenous Racism Education, and in direct collaboration with the Northern Health teams in Indigenous Health, Organizational Education, Clinical Education and Organizational Development, the Education Coordinator, Indigenous Health works collaboratively with all Northern Health departments and Indigenous community partners and internal/external stakeholders, to identify, develop, coordinate, facilitate and inform educational opportunities in alignment with Northern Health’s commitment to addressing Anti-Indigenous racism and commitment to building trust and cultural safety in the delivery of all programs and services. Location: worksite location is flexible. For more information and to apply, click here. Open until filled.
• Explore Northern Health Careers here.

The BCAAFC is the umbrella organization for the Friendship Centres across BC. BC Friendship Centres work to promote, develop and deliver accessible programs and services that support Indigenous peoples living in urban areas and away from home to achieve their vision of health, wellness and prosperity.

• To view all current BCAAFC career opportunities, click here.

Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) develops and enhances opportunities for our Métis communities by implementing culturally relevant social and economic programs and services. Through teamwork, respect, dedication, accountability, integrity, and professionalism, MNBC strives to build a proud, self-governing, sustainable Nation in recognition of inherent rights for our Métis citizens, assisting in the delivery of services based on policy, process, and specified regulations. Become part of the Métis Nation BC team and take an active role in shaping the Métis Nation in BC.

• To view all available MNBC career opportunities, click here.

The FNHA is a trailblazing organization filled with meaningful work and rich with transformative learning opportunities. Here you will find a sense of direction and belonging, with those who share your drive to create change in the world and in yourself – for the better.

• To explore all current FNHA job postings, click here.

Training and Events

December 7, 2023 | 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm (PST) - Valley of the Birdtail: An Indian Reserve, A White Town, and the Road to Reconciliation. This virtual event is presented by the UBC Faculty of Medicine Indigenous Speakers Series. In this Indigenous Speaker Series session, we will have a conversation with Andrew Sniderman and Douglas Sanderson – Amo Binashii, authors of Valley of the Birdtail. We will learn about what it means to be Indigenous in Canada, what it means for all of us to be Canadians in a newly reformed Canada, and ultimately what it will mean for all of us if we choose to be on the road to reconciliation. For more information and to register, click here.

December 9, 2023 | 11:00 am – 3:00 pm (PST) | Duncan, BC - BC NEIHR Workshop: Building Capacity for Funding. To register, email jimenachalchi@uvic.ca.

December 13, 2023 | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm (PST) | Online - BC NEIHR Workshop: Building Capacity for Funding. To register, email jimenachalchi@uvic.ca.

Sacred Journey has started touring and will travel amongst canoe nations in the Pacific Northwest and across Canada in the coming years.

Discover how the Tribal Canoe Journeys have catalyzed the revitalization of Indigenous culture, community healing, and youth empowerment on the Pacific Northwest Coast. To learn more, click here.

Call for Papers and Unique Opportunities

Call for papers: Jordan's principle. Title: The implementation of Jordan’s Principle across Canada: policy and practice lessons. Health Reform Observer – Observatoire des Réformes de Santé (HRO-ORS) invites papers, letters to the editor, and commentaries for a special issue exploring the implementation of Jordan’s Principle and the Inuit Child First Initiative. This special issue is an opportunity to share experiences with, explore barriers to, and highlight promising practices in the provision of Jordan’s Principle and Inuit Child First services. It is intended to create an opportunity for service providers, First Nations and Inuit leadership, and policy experts to share experiences with and reflections on efforts to achieve equitable and effective services for First Nations and Inuit children and families.

HRO-ORS strongly encourages submissions by Indigenous scholars, researchers, and practitioners, as well as the engagement of Indigenous service providers and leadership who have guided, led, or worked to implement Jordan’s Principle or Inuit Child First Initiative structures and services.

For more information, click here. Deadline for full manuscript submissions: January 15, 2024.

Environmental Contaminants Program - supports First Nations projects that explore the link between human health and environmental contaminants.

Mental Health & Wellness Fund - supports Nations and aggregations of First Nations to come together to plan, design and deliver a full continuum of culture and strength-based mental health and wellness services, including prevention and early intervention.

First Peoples' Cultural Council (FPPC) Grant funding supports communities to revitalize their Indigenous languages, arts and cultural heritage in BC. To view all available grants, click here.

• Language Revitalization Planning Program - provides funding plus resources and coaching. Funding can be used for wages, honoraria, equipment, resource materials and more. Deadline: December 14, 2023.
• Language Technology Program - provides funding plus equipment and training to support language revitalization using technology. Deadline: December 14, 2023.
• Pathways to Language Vitality (Pathways) Program - provides funding and support for community-led projects that revitalize First Nations languages in B.C. and help create fluent speakers. Deadline: December 14, 2023.
• Reclaiming My Language is a course to assist silent speakers to reclaim their language. The course runs 10 weeks for up to three hours each week. It uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and offers supports for silent speakers, including tools and coaching to help them move forward in a good way to reclaim their language. B.C. First Nations communities and Indigenous organizations in B.C. are eligible to apply for this program. Deadline: December 14, 2023.
• Note: The Language Program funding process is different this year as it will begin with the submission of a brief Expression of Interest (EOI). After the EOI submissions have been reviewed and funding levels for 2024-2025 are confirmed, FPCC will invite applications to specific programs. You may complete only one EOI submission for all program areas of interest.

The RBC Emerging Indigenous Filmmaker Award provides financial support to a filmmaker and their current or future project or career goals. One recipient will be awarded $10,000 and two hours of mentorship and advice from Sonya Ballantyne, the Indigenous award advisor. Read the announcement on the National Screen Institute website. Applications open until 5 pm, Central Time, December 6, 2023.

• Individual Arts Grants: Visual Artists. - supports professional visual artists, contemporary and traditional craft artists, and independent critics and curators with the creation of specific projects. Application deadline: December 6, 2023.
• Professional Development grants assist professional artists, cultural practitioners, production and technical personnel, and arts administrators with specific, short-term learning activities intended to advance their practice or career. Application deadline: December 14, 2023

The Canada Council for the Arts champions and invests in artistic excellence through grants, services, prizes and payments to professional Canadian artists, groups and arts organizations. For a list of all available grants, click here.

Creating, Knowing and Sharing: The Arts and Cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. This program supports Indigenous individuals, groups, Indigenous-led arts organizations and arts/cultural sector development organizations that foster a vital and resilient Indigenous arts ecosystem. Program Components:

• Travel - grants support travel costs to attend significant events within Canada or abroad that advance your professional development, enable you or the artists you represent to access new markets or build national and international presence. Deadline: Any time before your departure date.
• Small-Scale Activities - funds activities that will advance your artistic career or practice. Deadline: Any time before the start date of your project.
• Short-Term Projects - grants provide support for any combination of eligible Creating, Knowing and Sharing activities for projects lasting up to 12 months. Deadlines: December 13, 2023 and March 20, 2024.

First Nations Public Service Secretariat – First Nations Well Being Fund. The First Nations Well Being Fund supports First Nations in their efforts to promote well being, increase quality of life for all community members (both on and off-reserve) and reduce poverty at the community and/or Nation level. The First Nations Well Being Fund offers funding to First Nations and Tribal Councils to support projects related to community well being and poverty reduction. Areas of particular focus for funding will include, but are not limited to, food security, social and cultural supports, employment, education and training, families, children and youth, mental health, and transportation. Closing December 31, 2023.

The Future Generations (FG) Foundation accepts applications for funding for programs aimed at education, healing and reconciliation, and cultural knowledge building. The goal of the FG Foundation is to help First Nations, Métis people and communities address the impacts of the Indian residential school's system, and to provide resourcing to create meaningful opportunities that improve the quality of life for First Nations and Métis people. For more information, click here. Currently accepting Group/Organization Applications until January 12, 2024, at 5:00 PM EST.

Recovering Voices Community Research Program (CRP). Each year, the CRP funds projects that are submitted via an annual Call for Proposals. Any community whose linguistic and/or cultural traditions are represented in the Smithsonian’s collections or archives are eligible to apply for research funding. Funding ranges up to $10,000 to cover the costs of travel, accommodations, and research. Current call for proposal submissions open until January 15, 2024.

Listen, Hear Our Voices supports First Nations, Inuit, and Métis governments and non-profit organizations in: digitizing existing documentary heritage related to Indigenous languages and cultures; and building the skills, knowledge and resources to do this work in their communities. Interested organizations are welcome to apply for funding by 11:59 PM (local time) on January 30, 2024. Offering informational webinars to support prospective applicants: register for upcoming sessions.

Northern Development Cultural Infrastructure Program - supports creation of, or the improvement of, arts, heritage, culture and creative innovation spaces. This program improves the access to, and quality of, professional arts and cultural facilities for residents and tourists alike. Up to $100,000 available to a maximum of 70 % for upgrades or repairs to an existing facility or amenity and up to $300,000 available to a maximum of 50 % for new construction and/or substantial upgrades to existing facilities. All applicants must be located within Northern Development’s service region. Part of the Winter 2024 Intake Deadline: January 31, 2024, 11:59 pm.

Tla’amin Nation is a partner on an international research project called Solving FCB (Solving Sustainability Challenges at the Food-Climate-Biodiversity Nexus). The project is doing a deep dive with Tla’amin citizens on food security, biodiversity, climate change and the implementation of Tla’amin rights through the modern-day treaty.

The deadline to submit expression of interest is December 18, 2023. For more information, please contact:

• Nicole Meier (Tla’amin Nation): nicole.meier@tn-bc.ca
• William Cheung (UBC): w.cheung@oceans.ubc.ca
• Brian Thom (UVic): bthom@uvic.ca

Call for participants! The STORY Project: Improving Access to Family Planning for Indigenous Peoples through Storytelling. For more information, visit https://www.storyproject.ca/.

The UBC Centre for Aging SMART is seeking Indigenous scholars for a panel discussion about your experiences in doing research related to aging in Indigenous populations, health research, and/or working with Elders and older adults (June 4 – 6, 2024; Final date TBD). To inquire, please email amanda.Main@ubc.ca and for more information, visit agingsmart.ca/cihr-summer-program-in-aging-2024/.

• Interim Applications for time-limited funding under Sections 8 and 9 of the Indigenous Languages Act 2023-2025. The call for Interim Applications for time-limited funding under Sections 8 and 9 of the Act, developed in partnership with the Assembly of First Nations, is intended to support First Nations efforts in addressing the priorities they have identified to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen First Nations languages and First Nations governed initiatives in collaboration with federal departments and agencies, and other First Nations, provincial or territorial governments as desired and appropriate. To be eligible for funding, you must be a First Nation organization within Canada. “First Nation organization”, refers to an organization owned and controlled by First Nation persons, including a First Nation-owned corporation or a First Nation-controlled non-profit organization, that directly delivers language revitalization services or that otherwise supports the delivery of language revitalization services. First Nation applicants applying to the Department of Canadian Heritage are required to read the Interim Application Guidelines in its entirety for time-limited funding under Sections 8 and 9 of the Act and contact the Department of Canadian Heritage to request an application package and submit the required documentation. For how to apply and contact information, click here. Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 fiscal years.
• Legacy Fund – Building Communities through Arts and Heritage. Building Communities through Arts and Heritage - Legacy Fund component provides funding for community-initiated capital projects, intended for community use. Recipients may receive up to 50 per cent of eligible project expenses up to a maximum of $500,000. For more information and how to apply, click here. Application deadline: Projects must be submitted before the anniversary date of the event or personality to be commemorated.

The Doulas for Aboriginal Families Grant Program (DAFGP) provides grants to increase access to full-spectrum doula services for Indigenous families residing in BC (on- and off-reserve). The DAFGP is offered by the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, First Nations Health Authority, and the BC Ministry of Health. The goal of the program is to increase healthy birth outcomes for Indigenous families by removing the cost barrier to accessing doula services. The grant program provides Indigenous families living in BC up to $1,000.00 (maximum) of coverage for full spectrum doula support with each pregnancy. For more information and to apply, click here.

Share your Views: Participate in the CIHR Institute of Gender and Health's Listening Tour. The Institute of Gender and Health (IGH) wants to hear from you! Beginning in spring 2023, the IGH team will travel to major cities across Canada to meet with researchers, including trainees and early career researchers, community organizations, healthcare professionals and many other partners, with options for virtual participation. For more information or to complete the online survey, click here.

The Turtle Island Journal of Indigenous Health team is looking for new members! No prior experience is required to apply. These are remote positions open to students and community members across Turtle Island who are interested in promoting TIJIH's vision: Respectful co-learning between Indigenous ways of knowing and western science; Collaborating and partnering with Indigenous Peoples in knowledge generation and capacity-building; Building a community of practice that honours relationality as a model of high-impact engagement. To learn more and apply, click here.

The Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour (SNIWWOC). SNIWWOC is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to the empowerment of women with food, art, and education. SNIWWOC operates from a holistic and integrative service model that addresses the social, cultural and political realities of women who identify as black, Indigenous, and people of colour (BIPOC). Headquartered in Victoria BC, they offer programs and services in BC, Alberta, and Ontario. Click here to learn more, access services and get involved!

Are you an Indigenous graduate student studying at a BC institution? Submit a selfie of yourself outside, with a short description of yourself (community, institution, program, research interests, etc.) and enter for a chance to win a $50 gift card to your institution’s bookstore! Must be a registered member of the BC NEIHR. Email bcneihr@uvic.ca for more details.

To find out more or to get involved please visit the National website at https://circlesforreconciliation.ca/ or for pre-registration information, visit https://circlesforreconciliation.ca/pre-registration-information/.

IndigiNews is dedicated to covering the news in a way that allows for your stories to be heard, understood and respected. IndigiNews was created through a partnership between Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) and The Discourse. The goal of this partnership is two-fold: first, to provide journalism that serves and is driven by what local communities say they want. Second, to experiment with new business models for digital local news that contribute to the long-term sustainability of independent Indigenous news in Canada. Click here to subscribe to the Indiginews Newsletter and/or to sign up for the email course. You can help decolonize the media by becoming an IndigiNews supporter, visit https://indiginews.com/support-us to donate today.

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